NEWS / BLOG

Gosh it is HOT! I am fortunate to live near the beach but it can still be hot and muggy. The ancient Romans called the hottest, most humid days of summer “diēs caniculārēs” or “dog days.” The name came about because they associated the hottest days of summer with the star Sirius. Sirius was known as the “Dog Star” because it was the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). Sirius also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky.

Sirius is so bright that the ancient Romans thought it radiated extra heat toward Earth. During the summer, when Sirius rises and sets with the Sun, they thought Sirius added heat to the Sun’s heat to cause hotter summer temperatures.

In Chinese almanac, this is the day that Yang is at its highest or hottest, while Yin is at most lowest (lowest cooling). Within our body, Yang Qi goes up to the upper body and head area, causing more thinking, planning or over-analyzing. Also, Yang energy stirs up fire, causing more emotions like irritability, anger, short-temper and disturbed sleep.

Have you looked up to the summer sky to see Saturn and Jupiter? The planets are in alignment for you!

Tips to keep yourself cool: To cool the body, temper the fires of Yang during this month, and nourish Yin to stay cool. Keep hydrated with water and eat cooling Yin foods. Some of these are:

Cucumbers
Spinach
Berries
Melons
Peach
Figs
Limes
Tomatoes
Avocado
Summer squash
Basil
Mint
Molasses
Mung beans
Licorice

Where do you shop? We are lucky to have lots of farmers markets around us. I like the Leucadia Market off Vulcan Ave. There are more. When it comes to grocery shopping, my goto’s are Sprouts and the Asian Markets in Kearny Mesa / Convoy area. While I miss Whole Foods being close and I like Lazy Acres, they can be quite expensive. Healthy food is your best investment. If you ever see labels like phthalates, glyphosate, propylene glycol, dyes, MSG, additives, or high fructose sugar, stay away from purchasing the food.

In the summer avoid too much of:

Alcohol (Avoid more than 1. Don’t have more than 2)
Prolong exposure to the sun (avoid the high sun peak hours)
Hot and Spicy foods
Too much Coffee or over-stimulants
Over-sweating at the gym
Calm your mind and give yourself time for rest: Excess thinking and over planning can harm the spleen and cause digestive problems, fatigue, exhaustion, and prevent Qi flow. This can lead to sleepless nights and lack of mental clarity.

Get in the ocean! The ocean is the warmest I can ever remember. I try to go every day. If there are no waves, it does not matter. Go for a swim. Just go for a ‘dip dip’ as I like to say and get wet. The ocean is amazing and healing! Try to not take it for granted. I also pick up trash on my way from the beach whenever I am there. Every bit counts.

Added services and new appointment setting tool: Thanks to you, with your referrals and reviews, my practice is growing! I am improving the appointment setting experience to make it easier. No more phone tag. I have a new system on my site. You can click to schedule and select what treatment or package you want. Click to book your next appointment

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. I hope to see you soon!

In health and joyfulness,

Sidnee Chong, DACM, L.Ac
Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Energy ‘Qi’ Medicine Healer